Light tension strings

[Jacosfunk81]

Hi fellas, Im a guitar player moving into bass and Im wondering me which set you would consider light, lets say for most guitar players using 9-42 is the standard, I prefer 10-46 and cant believe some great player use 8-38 cause for me those are too thin but when it comes to bass I have no idea which one is the standard and Id love to try some light tension strings but I dont want to go too far, I guess the first ones come to mind are those Rotosound Funkmaster 30-90 that Mark King supposed to use, those seem to me the lightest end? maybe 35-90 its a bit more regular?

I never bought bass strings before so if you could please tell me a couple of sets that you consider pretty good and light would be great, cheers.

 

[michael_t]

Generally speaking...

40-95/40-100 = "light".
45-100 = "medium-light".
45-105 = "medium" or "standard".
50-110 = "heavy".

Keep in mind, though, "gauges" are only one small part of the equation when determining how a set of bass strings FEEL.

 

[tindrum]

Flexiblity, or low tension, has everything to do with the core size and core to wrap ratio….just like guitar strings. Generally speaking the lighter the gauge the more loose, or flexible the string will be. If you want an easy playing string the Dunlop Super Brights will be hard to beat. Very flexible, easy playing strings. DR Sunbeams are a close second in my book. D'Addario XL's and GHS Boomers, while popular, are pretty stiff and will likely be not what you are looking for. Same for Ernie Ball Slinkies.

 

[winegamd]

To echo Tindrum, Lighter weight hex core strings (40-100) will likely feel similar to round core medium strings (45-105). That has been my observation.

For example: Labella states that all of their tapewound string sets' tension are similar given they are the same gauge. However, the white nylon and the gold white nylon tapes are worlds apart due to core construction. The light weight golds (.050-.105) feel stiffer than the standard weight regular white nylons (.060-.115).

 

[Jacosfunk81]

Thanks guys, so for instance would those Dunlop SB 40-100 feel similar to Rotosound Swing 35-90? am I getting right?

 

[tindrum]

Thanks guys, so for instance would those Dunlop SB 40-100 feel similar to Rotosound Swing 35-90? am I getting right?

Yes they would. The Dunlop's being nickel plated will also feel much smoother if you aren't used to bass playing. Rotosounds are stainless steel and many players find that brand particularly rough feeling.

 

[Yahboy]

Good start with sunbeam 40-100 or Dunlop SBN 40-100. Both .40 just has elect guitar low string stiffness feel.

If both still has stiff feeling on your hand, you need visit the Ti jazz round.

Hopehelp

Edit.
Sunbeam has round core inside, meanwhile SBN has thinner hex core. The SBN has sweeter top end and little crispy sound on E string compare to Sunbeam. I love both, just different in tonal character.

 

[OldSchoolFlats]

If you want a fat sound, but something easy on the fingers, TI Jazz Flats. Expensive, but very high quality.

 

[Yahboy]

If you want a fat sound, but something easy on the fingers, TI Jazz Flats. Expensive, but very high quality.

Ti flat never sound Fat to my ear, but Full.

 

[winegamd]

I would suggest trying the LaBella white nylons. They are very flexible but really smooth with the nylon wrap. They would be a different flavor than a regular round wound, though.

 

[LoTone]

Usually, the string gauge also affects the tone. The higher the gauge the warmer the sound.

 

[Jacosfunk81]

Great info guys, cheers!

Im not a big fan of bright strings plus I love DR so right now those sunbeans seam to be my cup of tea, I like playing funk, soul and some latin, I guess considering that I would not got for flats or nylon but hey, who knows maybe Im wrong here, for instance for guitar I love pure nickel and 99% of the guitarist never use those.

 

[Syl_Funky_bass]

Ti flat never sound Fat to my ear, but Full.

Can you please elaborate on on this? What do you mean?

 

[Ggaa]

DR Fatbeams are pretty flexible. Round core.

 

[el murdoque]

Can you please elaborate on on this?

I think I can. When you swap, for instance, a set of LaBella Deep Talking Flats for a set of TI Jazz Flats,
You will immediately notice that a good bit of the low end is gone.
The TIs do more of that singing, more overtones and have a richer timbre. There is a lot more going on in the mids. The LaBellas have that flatwound thump, and a massive one at that - but in direct comparison to TIs,
they lack all the rest. So it's safe to say the LaBellas have the fatter sound, while the TI's have the richer sound.

 

[mark roberts]

Great info guys, cheers!

Im not a big fan of bright strings plus I love DR so right now those sunbeans seam to be my cup of tea, I like playing funk, soul and some latin, I guess considering that I would not got for flats or nylon but hey, who knows maybe Im wrong here, for instance for guitar I love pure nickel and 99% of the guitarist never use those.

Just a recommendation…if you have an aggressive slap technique, hex core strings may provide longer service. They will have a stiffer feel compared to the same gauge and material round core.

DR Sunbeams are round core. They are wonderful strings.

 

[Jacosfunk81]

Hey Mark, not sure what agressive slap technique means tbh but here is a video of me playing some slap few months ago, I think I can do it better now, more relaxed.
Those Sunbeams look great but I notice most people use hi beans, anyway I like warm sound and low tension so Ima try sunbeams first.

 

[nonohmic]

Keep in mind not all basses like a low tension set up.

 

[jastraw]

Another +1 for DR Sunbeams. I use 45-105 and they feel low tension to me. I tried the same gauge same bass with DR Low Riders. It felt much higher tension immediately. Instant swap back.

 

[Killing Floor]

TI Jazz Rounds or Jazz Flats are lower tension and somewhat on the smaller side of traditional bass string gauge.

I play guitar and use 9s so I guess I'm stuck in the middle. But I bet based on your guitar hours the bass strings won't feel too bad. They are obviously heavier but they won't shred your tips like plains.